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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Breaking the rules

So I decided to follow my instincts and allowed myself to think outside of the box. I had been eyeing these bronze aged sconces at Home Depot for months now, and finally gave in. I fell mad in love with their unique, vintage design and industrial quality.

 

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These sconces were on the exterior lighting isle at Home Depot. They are intended for OUTDOOR USE.

 

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So does that mean these beautiful sconces can’t be used indoors? Of course not. I’ve not wired them yet, but have spoken with professionals that have assured me they’re safe for indoor use. I love how they bring both a modern and vintage feel into the living room. Even if I am breaking the rules a little.

 

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I recently acquired this old yard long framed photograph circa 1935, from my friend Diane. There’s something about these large group photographs that fascinate me.

 

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I’ve gotten many questions about this dresser, so I decided to cover all bases and tell you all about this piece. I purchased this dresser years ago at a flea market. It was ugly brown and missing the bottom drawer completely. I had it painted white, then I built a shelf at the bottom for unique open storage and then stained the top in dark walnut.

 

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I love the contrast between the light and dark. The white was a custom paint color, which I no longer remember the name of, and the stain is Varathane premium gel stain in Dark Walnut, purchased at Home Depot.

 

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Not to change the subject, but it just occurred to me I forgot to remind you go check out this month’s Cottage of the Month. Go take a peek!

Thanks again for all your comments on our home. They are very much appreciated.

69 of you had this to say:

  1. You are A M A Z I N G !!!!!!
    oH my gosh, what a FABULOUS IDEA... the outdoor lights for INDOORS............THOSE WOULD BE PERFECT FOR MY LITTLE HOUSE HERE AT THE BEACH.
    OH WOW.......LOVE THEM.
    THAT DRESSER ?
    LOVE IT.
    THE OLD YARD LONG PHOTOGRAPH ?
    MAKES ME WANT TO GO IN SEARCH OF MY LOCAL THRIFT STORES TOMORROW.
    THANKS for the INSPIRATION ! XO

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  2. I have to say..I just love your website!! Your home is so beautiful! 1) I think I own the same dresser, but it is still dark brown and has the mirror and the attached dresser, can't decide whether to keep it, paint it, or get rid of it...and 2) THANK You so much for the post about your dining room, I have a very similar space, and I think we're going to attempt it, love it!

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  3. i saw them last night on My Sweet Savanahs blog post... and thought those are cool. I love that you have changed up your style a bit... isn't so fun ;)

    Sheila

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  4. Beautiful. I have a very similar light. I have trouble finding the bulbs tho, where did you find those amazing bubbly bulbs?

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  5. That's the great thing about decorating rules ~ they're made to be broken! Sometimes you have to think outside of the box. I really love that walnut stain; it looks so great with the white {in your dining room, too}.

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  6. Seriously, I want to be you when I grow up! I love your taste and style in decorating. The dresser is beautiful. And those sconces...love that you're using them inside!

    Nancy

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  7. I do love your hutch, new picture & most of all those light fixtures. Just the right touch.

    Last Saturday i did a little "Blurb" about your Cottage Blog for Pink Saturday http://myheartsease.blogspot.com/

    I am going to feature the mosiac backsplash this Saturday. Hope you got some traffic from it. Hope you will go check out last weeks & check back on Saturday of this week. Love your Blog! Have a great week.

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  8. Love it!! You have the greatest ideas. I am digging the lamp shade frame on the dresser(which I also love!) On the shade, is that something you added at the top and bottom or did you find it that way? Also the bulb is great!!

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  9. I LOVE those lights in your home!!!! They look fabulous, you would NEVER know they were outdoor lights!! I love your creativity, you are so inspiring!!!!
    Hugs,
    Amy

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  10. Love the whole thing! But that picture really is just great. And I really like the way teh dresser is used with the bottom drawer gone! Super idea!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  11. We have these lights hard wired in our sons room. They each have a light for their bunk. We have the stainless version and LOVE them. They do have to be wired to a switch because they do not have their own switch. They look great in your room as well. Good luck.

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  12. LOVE your new sconces! LOVE your mirror! LOVE your home! You have flawless taste! :)

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  13. A really fabulous idea Jennifer and they compliment the rest of the interior look so well. I love breaking the rules and think it's great you followed your instincts! I too love those long group photographs...what a great find! And I have admired that dresser of yours for a long time ;) I have one that used to be orange...I painted it and converted it into a desk and now it is a favorite piece.

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  14. Youch! I had those same lights in my hand for my ktichen but put them back. Now I want them again! LOL Wish they came ceiling mounted as well darn it.

    Loving your viewings!

    Donna

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  15. And my LDBFF hits another homerun outta the park!
    I say we go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market with sleeping bags, a tent, a Uhaul truck and three days worth of food!

    Layla

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  16. I love that you think out of the box. It's not an easy thing for me to do, so seeing the results helps me too. I love the look and the stories that go along with the pieces, thanks so much, Char

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  17. Oh my goodness, I have the same lighting outdoors besides my back door and I love them!! I never even imagined using them indoors...they look fabulous!

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  18. These are amazing there! Your cottage is so lovely. I love what you have done with it.
    Smiles,
    June

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  19. I want this for my staircase!! These are perfect.

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  20. I used the same sconces in the pewter/silverton finish in my boys' bathroom. I figure that the outdoor fixtures should be able to withstand my boys?! ;(

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  21. Okay, you have now inspired me! There are some arts & crafts style outdoor lamps that I have been eying for years. Why didn't I ever think of using them inside??

    Thanks and yours look grand!

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  22. I thought rules were meant for breaking!!LOL
    They look fabulous, so keep on breaking those rules
    Alison

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  23. i JUST bought one of those lanterns for the half bath in my new house- and it was on sale for only $9.99! love your house- it's fun to draw creative ideas from your blog!

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  24. Rules were meant to be broken...beautifully done! Tami E.

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  25. What a beautiful home you have, and I love the new lanterns. Your blog gives me the inspiration to keep working on my many home improvement projects. Thank you.

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  26. I loved seeing your transformation.......so funny that I first found you in a magazine and your home decor was mixed with pinks.

    I still browse through that magazine but I love this look too.

    Breaking the rules..isn't it fun!
    Sheri
    www.pawshpoodle.blogspot.com

    I knew your cottage of the month was Sandy....you cannot mistake her style.

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  27. Love your lights and where you have them planted and something tells me you didn't just start thinking outside the box. Your decorating imagination is very inspiring!

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  28. i feel the same way about those old group photographs...kinda eery...kinda warm-fuzzy-ish...love the light dealios...really looks COOL!

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  29. ohhhhh I love the sconces! I am looking for the right ones for my livingroom and these look like they would give out plenty of light! You guys have done such a wonderful job on the house - I shared ur fridge coverup story at a mini party last night.....they were all intrigued with there oh's and uh's and nods! :) Yeay!

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  30. I just bought one of those lights for outside my new shed. You come up with the best ideas. Mimi

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  31. Ohmygoodness....Jennifer! I so love this idea!!!! I love the unexpected..and they are gorgeous. I love your entire cottage sweetie ~ you both have done an amazing job! xxoo, Dawn

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  32. I like very much. I have used outdoor lights for our conservatory which i love. And i love the school pic there. xxxx

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  33. What a wonderful idea! And rules? What rules?
    BTW, that dresser is beautiful. I love the open storage at the bottom and would never have known there was supposed to be a drawer there until you said so. I can't wait to see more!

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  34. I never would have thought of those myself, but the sconces are lovely where you've hung them. Tres unique!!

    And I love the long, horizontal picture. Good job woman!!

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  35. I'm loving all your new house photos!! Isn't breaking decorating rules so much fun?? I'm hoping you will show us more and more! I would love to see a closer up view of the faux birdcages on the wall with pictures behind them.
    Michelle

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  36. I stumbled upon your blog... and subscribed IMMEDIATELY!!! Love your style, your creativity and will be reading your posts ALL DAY!
    Chloe

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  37. you left a comment on my blog (food eaten) after i posted about loving your place on design sponge. funny, i totally did stop by the blog before you mentioned. i totally LOVE your sense of style here. love love love. and what is it with white, it's such a great palette! i'm gradually, collecting stuff for my own little cottage. but i'm renter right now, so it'll be a process.

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  38. Mmmm, I think the sconces look gorg! Loving the industrial curveball thrown in there! Great choice!

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  39. The light fixtures are to die for, and way to think outside the box. I am just about to do that exact thing with a dresser I have, but I'm using mine for media storage and my TV.

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  40. I just found your blog via The Lettered Cottage, and I am SOO glad! Your house is gorgeous!! It is just what I am going for in my own home. So it is so inspirational and validating to see your house with lots and lots of tablescapes and shelves full of pretty things. You have become a new favorite! Now I'm off to read more of your blog...

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  41. Your new sconces fit right into your space. I never would have guessed they were intended for outdoor use.

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  42. Madly in love with the sconces, perfect mix.

    LeAnn

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  43. I love your house, and the sconces look great, Off to look around your blog, Have a sweet day! x

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  44. What a fabulous makeover don't know how I found your blog but I'm glad I did. Painting the house and replacing the floors has made a great deal of difference.But you excel at the way you place things.
    Kind Regards
    Karen

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  45. I just love all of it! I think you are one of the most creative, out of the box rule breakers ever. :-) Thanks so much for sharing your home with all of us.

    Pat

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  46. Now I know for a fact that YOU are not worried about "rules"! What rules!! If there are any, they are meant to be broken!! Anyway I have some very similar outdoor sconces in my den!! I love them!! Keep breaking "rules".

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  47. I love those lights and that dresser is absolutely fantastic! You are so creative :)

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  48. I just found your blog and I LOVE it! Your home is gorgeous and I am so jealous! I can't wait to read more and get inspiration.

    PS- I love the new sconces!

    :))

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  49. All your ideas are clever. Love seeing your home. What a treat for the eyes! ~ Sarah

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  50. Hi jennifer, I'm not sure you remember me but I've been hanging around the blogging world for a bit. I dont comment as much as I should but I did have to tell you that I abosolutely ADORE what you have done with your new home. I too started off with the very full on "shabby" style home of pink and roses but now find that I have completely changed tack and have mostly moved to the silver and darker wood ~ what I consider to be a more "elegant" look if that makes sense. In any case I have absolutely drooled over the before and after pics of your home. I only wish I could get things done here as quickly as you. You have very much inspired me to get a move on though, I just keep coming back to your blog for more encouragement!!
    Alicia ~ time worn style

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  51. Hi Jennifer, I just found out your blog, from Daisy Pink Cupcakes and from now, this is my favorite blog ever!
    You realy inspired me! I have to say that since now, I changed my mind and realized that we could see a great potencial even in houses looking and smelling bad!
    Thanks to share your talent with us!

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  52. Where did you get your sliding glass french doors in the dining area? I would love something similar to that. Also, do you remember about how much they were (if you don't mind sharing?) Thanks!

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  53. Hello!
    Greetings from Norway.
    I found your blog early this morning. It turned my whole day upside down. Before 9 in the morning I was rearrangeing my livinroom and diningroom.
    You really are such an inspiration. I anderstand very well that you have many visitors in here. You are both kind and a inspiration to other people.
    I have between moving furniture and decorating read your blog. I have perhaps come half way down.
    Much respect for your tackeling of your house prodject especially since you had no experience from before.We have moved to and are tackeling the new house like you did.
    I come by later for shure. If you like my interiorblog is shabbylishious.blogspot.com. I am happy for every visit i get.
    Have a wonderful and inspiring day.
    Hugs!

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  54. Love them-I love breaking the decorating rules-that's what make us unique.

    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

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  55. I used some outdoor lighting on the inside at my last house. I loved it. It seems they clearance outdoor fixtures at a great price too!

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  56. Absolutely great idea! Love to repurpose items in different ares. And these lamps fit perfectly in the living area.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  57. Jennifer ... those lights are just PERFECT for that spot! Good call!

    What brand are they from Home Depot? I looked through their website and can't find them. Simply beautiful!

    MJ

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  58. Oh Jennifer....I'm totally CRAZZZZZZZZZZY about every single thing you've done in your SWEET cottage....Everything looks so crisp and fresh and totally timeless. Perfection.

    Hugs,
    Spencer

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  59. I love your decor! The dresser is absolutely wonderful, too. Great idea and use of an old piece.

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  60. WOW!! they look like they have always belonged there!!! Good pick up!!!
    House is amazing just like you!!
    have a FAB week!!

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  61. Jennifer,
    You are an amazing decorator and I so admire how you just "do it!" You just jump in and do what you are thinking about and if it works...then, great! I love your beadboard on frig idea. I need to do something w/our frig.
    QUESTION: I see on your kitchen that you had blue cabinets. did you sand them or just put base coat, first? I have an oil based base coat and am covering walnut- cheap wood cabinets with cream. some say sand and I'd rather skip that step. Plus, did you replace hinges? I already have knobs and drawer pulls and then I thought "UGH...hinges." I'd like to try painting over. your thoughts?
    Your blog fires me up!
    Cheryl in IN
    WHOSYERGURL

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  62. Every corner of your house is amazing and you must be some kind of creative genius! I had such a wonderful time browsing through all of your before and after posts this morning. Thanks for helping me get my day off to a lovely start!

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  63. I have SO enjoyed seeing your wonderful home. You are such a talented decorator. laurie

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  64. Your entire house is amazing so far. I can't wait to see the rest of your reno ideas :)

    Just a point I would like to bring up.. your roman numeral clock.. Is the four right? Isn't 4 in roman numerals IV?

    My friend has a completely different roman numeral clock and has this problem. What a weird coincedence!

    Keep up the great work xx

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  65. i like your blog so much!!! and this is the best view ive seen of black and white together....looks great....ann

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